Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-11-18
PIPES FOR SWORDS.
Hoveact Prevented Hostile Encou

Hov0act Prevented q Hostile Encounter
A master in any art is properly more
pleased than annoyed at finding q
worthy rival; so far, among real artists,
does admiration of fine work ex-
coed jealousy of the artist. Robert
Louis Stevenson tells the following
characteristic story of two members OF
hostile clans, who, meeting in the hut
of common friend, Duncan, were thus
skilfully turned from possible blood
shed to friendly rivalry:
"Mr. Stewart, I'm thinking" said
Robin.
"Troth, Mr.. Macgregor, it's not a
name to be ashamed Of" answered
Alan.
CHATS kittle point, but / think !
will have heard you are man of your
sword?"
"Unless you were born deaf, ye will
have heard good deal more than
that"
1t was case of now or never, and
Duncan thrust himself between.
Gentlemen, I will have been think
ing of very different matter, what
effer. Here are my pipes, and here
are you two gentlemen who are bath
acclaimed pipers. It's a auld dispute
which one of yes the best. Here will
be Draw chance to settle it."
"Why, sir" said Alan, still address
ing himself to Robin, from whom he
had not 80 much as shifted his eyes,
nor yet Robin from him, thave you
music, as folks say? Are you bit Of a
piper?"
Robin.
"And that's very bold word, quoth
Alan.
II have made holder words good be-
fore now, and that against better adj
versaries."
ut is easy to try that"
The two enemies were still on the
very breach of q quarrel; but down
they sat, one on each side of the peat
fire, with mighty show of politeness,
and after great number of civilties,
Robin took the pipes and played little
spring in very ranting manner.
Gay, ye can blow" said Alan; and
taking the instrument from his rival,
he played the same tune in manner
identical to Robins and then wandered
into variations, which, as he went on,
he decorated with perfect flight of
grace-notes, such as pipers love, and
call the "warblers."
"That's no very bad, Mr.. Stewart,
but you show poor device in your
warbler"
"Me!" cried Alan, the blood starting
to his face. II give We the lie.
"Do you own yourself beaten at the
pipes, then, that you seek to change
them for the sword?"
gregor; and, IN the meantime, take
back the lie."
Robin then proceeded to initiate and
correct some of Alan's variations,
which, it seemed, he remembered per.
fectly.
"Ay, We have music" said Alan
glocmily.
And now be the Judge yourself, Mr..
Stewart" said Robin; and taking up
the variations from the beginning, he
worked them throughout to SO new q
purpose, with such sentiment, and
with so quick knack in the grace.
notes, that all were amazed to hear
him. AS for Alan, he sat like man
under some deep atfront.
Enough" he cried. aye can blow
the pipes; make the most of that"
But Robin struck into the slow
music of pibroch, piece peculiar to
the Stewards and chief favorite will,
Alan. The first notes were scarce out
before there came change in his face,
and long before that piece was at al
end, the last sign of his anger dice
away, and he had no thought but fol
the music.
"Robin Dig" said he, when it was
done, Eye are great piper. am MOI
fit to blow in the same kingdom will
ye. Body of me! ye have more music
in your sporran than have in my head
And though it still sticks in my mini
that I could, maybe, show We another
of it with the cold steel, 1 warn We be
forehand it'll no be fair. It would &C
against my heart to fight man tina
can blow the pipes as you can"
Thereupon the quarrel was made up
and all night long the pipes were
changing hands.